Well packer apparatus



June 19, 1956 R. c. BAKER ET AL WELL PACKER APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 26, 1954 ,47- roQA/E Ys.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 54 fa B R. C. BAKER E T Al- WELI.. PACKER APPARATUSMAQr/N B. CoA/A240,

INVENToRs.

rro/QNEY..

5 8 L-UBEN C BAKER,

21 kraj June 19, 1956 Filed April 26, 1954 June 19, 1956 R, Q BAKER ETAL 2,751,012

WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed April 246, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet T TOE/VE YS.

United States PatentO WELL PACKER APPARATUS Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga,and Martin B. Conrad, Downey, Calif., assignors to Baker Oil Tools,Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application April26, 1954, Serial No. 425,646

16 Claims. (Cl. 166--121) The present invention relates to subsurfacewell devices, and more particularly to well packers capable of beinganchored in packed-off condition in a well casing, or similar conduit,disposed in a well bore.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved retrievablewell packer capable of being anchored in packed-off condition in a wellconduit against longitudinal movement in both longitudinal directions,setting of the apparatus occurring automatically upon removing thedownward force imposed by a running-in string, through the agency ofwhich the packer is lowered in the well conduit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved retrievablewell packer which need only be pushed down the well casing to thedesired setting location therein, there being no necessity for imposingany external forces on the packer to secure its anchoring in the wellcasing against longitudinal movement in both directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well packer capable ofbeing anchored to a well casing against longitudinal movement in bothdirections, the packer being released and elevated in the well casingmerely by elevating the running-in string that can be connected to it.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a well packer capableof being anchored to a Well casing against longitudinal movement in bothdirections, anchoring of the packer against both upward and downwardmovement being effected automatically by the fluid pressure in thecasing. v

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a well packercapable of being anchored in a well casing against longitudinal movementin both directions, and embodying an improved arrangement for preventingsetting of the packer during lowering and elevating of the packer in thewell casing.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a wellpacker being lowered in a well casing disposed in a well bore;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the well packer, with theparts in the position they occupy when being lowered in the well casing;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section through the wellpacker, with the slips in retracted position;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale,f,taken along the line 44 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line5--5 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale,taken generally along the line 6 6 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, partly in diagram form, illustratingthe parts in a neutral or' central posinon;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, disclosing the well packer anchoredagainst upward movement in the well casing, being pressured from below;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating the well packeranchored against downward movement in the well casing, being pressuredfrom above;

Fig. l() is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating the well packer beingelevated in the well casing.

The well packer A disclosed in the drawings is specilicaliy designed asa bridge plug adapted to be anchored in a well casing B in packed-offcondition against longitudinal movement both in an upward and a downwarddirection. The well packer is lowered in the well casing by means of arunning-in tool C secured to the lower end of a running-in string C,which may be a wire line extending to the top of the well bore.

In general, the Well packer A can be run in the Well casing to thedesired setting point merely by pushing it down the casing B. Duringsuch pushing action, uid in the well casing can by-pass around thepacker. After being shifted to its setting location in the casing, therunning-in string D need merely be elevated away from the well packer A,and pressure either from above or below the packer as the case may be,is effective to anchor the packer to the well casing against downward orupward movement. After the well packer has performed its function in thewell casing, it is easily retrieved or shifted to another location inthe Well casing merely by pulling in an upward direction on the wellpacker A (if it is to be elevated in the well casing), or by pushingdownwardly on the well packer (if it is to be lowered in the wellcasing).

As specifically disclosed in the drawings, the well packer A includes atubular body 10 consisting of an upper section 11 threadedly secured toa lower section 12. A set of circumferentially spaced upper casinggripping slip members 13 extends around the tubular body 10, beingcooperable with an upper expander 14 to be urged outwardly against thewell casing B and to hold the well packer in the casing against downwardmovement therein. Similarly, a set of circumferentially spaced lowerslip members 15 is disposed around the tubular body 10, being cooperablewith a lower expander 16 which is capable of moving the lower slipsoutwardly against the well casing to anchor the well tool against upwardmovement therein.

The upper expander 14, which may be of generally frusto-conical form,surrounds the upper body section 11, with its smaller end bearingagainst a shoulder 17 formed on the body. The upper end of the upperexpander bears against a thimble 18, in which the base portion 19 of arubber or rubber-like upwardly facing packing cup 20 is received, theupper end or lip portion 21 of this packing cup being slidablyengageable with the wall of the well casing B. Leakage between thepacking cup 20 and the tubular body 10 may be prevented by a suitableside seal 22 on the body engaging the inner surface of a metallic sleeve23 disposed within the base 19 of the the packing cup and resting uponthe thimble 18. The packing cup 20 is clamped against the thimble 18,which, in turn, urges the upper expander 14 irmly against the bodyshoulder 17, by an upper valve cage and clamp'24 threaded on the upperend of the body 10 and bearing against a clamp sleeve 25 disposed withinthe packing cup 2li, urging the base 19 of the latter within and againstthe thimble 18, which, in turn, forces the upper expander 14 against thebody shoulder 17.

A downwardly facing lower rubber or rubber-like packing cup 26 is alsoprovided, to prevent upward leakage of uid between the tubular body 16and the wall of the well casing B. The base portion 27 of this packingcup is received Within a lower thimble 2S that bears against the lowerend of the lower expander 16, the upper or smaller end of which bearsagainst a shoulder 36 formed at the upper end of the lower body section12. The lower packing cup 26 has a lower lip portion 31 slidably sealingagainst the wall of the well casing. Leakage of fluid between thepacking cup 26 and the lower body section 12 is prevented by a suitableside seal 32 on the lower section bearing against the inner surface of ametallic sleeve 33 disposed within the base 27 of the packing andbearing against the thimble 28. The packing cup 26 and lower Yexpander16 are held on the body 1@ in proper position by a lower valve cage andclamp 34 threaded on the lower end of the body and bearing against aclamp sleeve 35 disposed in the packing cup 26, which will urge the base27 of the packing and the metallic sleeve 32 against the thimble 2S,causing the latter to urge the lower expander 16 snugly against theshoulder 30.

The upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are carried by a structurewhich is slidable longitudinally relative to the tubular body 19. Thatis to say, the tubular body can move downwardly with respect to bothsets of slips 13, 15. When this occurs, the upper expander 14 is shiftedinto the lower set of slips 13 to urge them outwardly into anchoringengagement with the well casing B. Such anchoring or wedging action ofthe expander 14 in the upper slips 13 occurs in view of the provision ofa downwardly converging external surface 37 on the expander engagingcompanion inner surfaces 38 on the slip members 13. Conversely, upwardmovement of the tubular body with respect to the slips 13, 15 will carrythe lower expander 16 upwardly within the lower slips 15, this lowerexpander having an upwardly converging tapered surface 39 engagingcompanion tapered surfaces 46 on the lower slip members 15, to urge thelatter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the Wellcasing B, to prevent upward movement of the well packer therein.

The relative longitudinal movement between the tubular body 10 and theexpanders 14, 16 mounted thereon with respect to the slips 13, can occuras a result of resisting longitudinal movement of the slips in the wellcasing B. Such longitudinal movement is prevented by incorporatingfriction drag blocks in the slips themselves. Thus, the upper set ofslips 13 is mounted within circumvferentially spaced longitudinalgrooves 41 provided in an upper slip carrying sleeve 42, the wickeredhead portions 43 of these slips extending above the upper end of thesleeve 42. Similarly, the lower set of slips 15 is disposed withincircumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves 44 provided in a lowerslip carrying sleeve 45, the wickered lower slip heads 46 extendingbelow this sleeve to permit its cooperation with the lower expander 16.rfhe upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 are interconnected bybeing secured to an intermediate ring 47, the lower end of the uppersleeve 42 engaging the upper surface of this ring, whereas the upper endof the lower sleeve 45 engages the lower surface of this ring. r1`hering 47 has upper and lower rims 4S, 49 extending around the adjacentperipheries of the upper and lower sleeves 42, 45, and its inner surface50 is disposed radially outward with respect to the inner surfaces 51 ofthe upper and lower sleeves to provide a circumferential groove 52therewith (see Fig. 5). The upper and lower sleeves 42, 45 are securedto the intermediate ring 47 by a plurality of upper and lower screws 53,54 extending longitudjnally through the sleeves and threaded into thering 47,

in the manner best shown in Fig. 6. Thus, the screws 53, 54 secure theupper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and the intermediate ring47 to one another, so that they are movable as a unit, this unit beingslidable with respect to the tubular body 10.

As stated above, the longitudinal movement of the Slips 13, 15 throughthe well casing is resisted by providing a friction drag block 56 oneach slip. These drag block portions 56 are formed on an intermediateportion of each slip, being urged outwardly into frictional engagementwith the wall of the well casing B by helical compression springs 57bearing against the base of each longitudinal groove 41, 44 and alsoagainst the base 58 of a socket 59 provided in each slip at its frictionblock portion 56. The springs 57 will force a substantial externalsurface 611 on each drag block portion 56 of a slip against the wall ofthe well casing. When such Contact occurs, the wickered heads 43, 46 ofthe slips 13, 15 are tilted inwardly out of contact from the well casingB. When an expander 14 or 16 moves longitudinally within the slip heads43 or 46, the slips 13 or 15 will rock on an end 61 of their frictiondrag block portions 56 upon the casing, to pivot the heads intoengagement with the well casing.

As an example, as disclosed in Fig. 3, the upper slip heads 43 areretracted from the well casing, the friction drag block portions 56making surface contact with the wall of the casing B. When in thisposition, the inclined surface 3S of each slip makes an acute angle withthe companion inclined surface 37 of the upper expander 14. When theupper expander moves down within the slip heads 43, it will tilt theslips 13 about the upper corners 61 of the friction drag block members56 as a fulcrum, the expander surface 37 and slip surfaces 38 cominginto full parallel contact with each other, which will place the slipwickers 63 in paraliel relation to the wall of the casing, as disclosedin Fig. 9. The drag block portions 56 are tilted away from the wall ofthe casing B against the force of the springs 57, there being sufficientradial clearance space in the grooves 41 of the upper sleeve 42 topermit this tilting or rocking action to take place. When the upperexpander 14 is shifted upwardly out of the upper slip heads 43, thesprings 57 are effective to rock the slips 13 about their fulcrums 61,to move the drag blocks 56 into surface contact with the wall of thewell casing B, and shift the slip heads 43 inwardly away from the wallof the latter.

The lower set of slips 15 is arranged like the upper set of slips 13,except that they are inverted with respect thereto. The lower slipmembers 15 have lower fulcrum points 61 at the lower ends of their dragblock portions 56, the lower springs 57 urging the drag block members 56into full surface engagement with the wall of the well casing when theslip heads 46 are retracted away from the latter. When this occurs, theinclined slip surfaces 40 make an acute angle with the lower expandersurface 39. When the body 10 and lower expander 16 are moved upwardlywithin the slip heads 46, the slips 15 are rocked on the casing abouttheir lower fulcrum points 61 to shift the slip heads 46 outwardlyagainst the well casing and the friction block portions 56 of the slipsinwardly against the force of the springs 57. With the lower slip heads46 fully engaging the casing B, their surfaces 40 snugly engage theexpander surface 39, in effect being parallel thereto (Fig. 8). Loweringof the tubular body 10 and expander 16 with respect to the lower slips15 will shift the expander away from the latter, allowing the springs 57to rock the slips 15 about their fulcrums 61 on the casing, to shift thelower slip heads 46 away from the wall of the casing and bring the dragblock portions 56 into full surface engagement with the casing onceagain.

When the well packer A is unrestrained, as when it is above ground andout of the well casing, the outward movement of the upper slip members13 under the action of the springs 57 is limited by engagement of thelower slip fingers or leg portions 70 with the upper rim 48 of theintermediate' ring, and also by engagement of the base portion 71 of anexternal groove 72 formed on each slip member immediately above itsfriction drag portion 56 with a retaining ring 73 disposed around all ofthe slips 13. Similarly, outward movement of the lower set of slips 15under the action of the springs 57 is limited by engagement of upperlingers 70 on the slips with the lower rim portion 49 of theintermediate ring, and also by engagement of the base portions 71 oflower peripheral grooves 72 formed in the slips immediately below thefriction drag block portions 56 with a lower retainer ring 7 3encompassing all of the slips 15 and disposed in the grooves 72. Whenthe well packer A is inserted in a well casing B, the friction dragblock portions 56 will engage the Wall of the casing and force the slips13, 15 inwardly against the action of the springs 57, to provide ampleradial clearance space between the legs 70 and rims 48, 49, and alsobetween the base portions 71 and the retainer rings 73. This latterclearance space is more than suicient to allow the appropriate rockingof the sets of slips 13, 15 into and out of anchoring engagement withthe wall of the well casing B.

The upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are caused to movelongitudinally with the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and intermediatering 47. The upper end of the upper sleeve 42 has an upper flange 75engaging the upper side of the upper retainer ring 73, bearing againstthis ring, which, in turn, bears against the lower sides 76 of the slipgrooves '72 to carry the slips 13 in a downward direction. Upwardmovement of the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and ring 47 will cause theintermediate ring 47 to bear against the lower ends 7 0 of the slipmembers and move them upwardly therewith. Similarly, upward movement ofthe slip carrying sleeves will cause a lower flange 75 on the lowersleeve 45 to engage the lower retainer ring 73 and force it against theupper sides 76 of the slip grooves 72,

to carry the slips 15 in an upward direction. Downward .movement of thesleeves 42, 45 and ring 47 will cause the :intermediate ring 47 toengage the upper ends 70 of the 'lower slip members 15, to carry them ina downward direction. Thus, the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45,intermediate ring 47 and upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 aremovable longitudinally through the well casing substantially as a unit,while the slips 13, 15 are permitted to rock on their fulcrums 61 intoand out of anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

In view of the frictional engagement 0f the drag block portions 56 ofthe slip members against the Wall of the casing, the body will tend tomove down with respect to the slip members 13, when being lowered in thecasing. Conversely, the tubular body 10 will tend to move upward withrespect to the slip members in the event it is elevated in the wellcasing. Such downward movement is permitted when the well packer is tobe anchored in the well casing against downward movement, and relativeupward movement is permitted when it is desired to anchor the wellpacker in the casing against upward movement. However, when the wellpacker is to be raised or lowered as a unit in the well casing, therelative movement is prevented.

In controlling the relative longitudinal movement between the slips 13,15 and the packer body 10, a control rod 80 is availed of which extendscompletely through the tubular body. This control rod has a diametersubstantially less than the inside diameter of the tubular body, toprovide an annular passage S1 through the tubular body for lluid in thewell bore. An upper reduced diameter portion 82 of the rod is slidablethrough the end portion 83 of the upper valve cage and clamp 24, whereasa lower reduced diameter portion 84 of the rod is slidable through thelower end portion 85 of the lower valve cage and clamp 34. The upper andlower clamp members 24, 34 serve t0 hold the rod S0 centrally of thebody 10 and guide it in its longitudinal movement therein.

The intermediate portion of the rod 80 has a longitudinal slot 86'extending therethrough receiving a cross-piece or anvil 87 having alongitudinal extent that is substantially shorter than the length of theslot 86, to allow the control rod S0 to move longitudinally with respectto the anvil 87. This anvil 87 extends transversely through opposedlongitudinal slots 8S in the tubular body, the crosspiece having opposedreduced terminals 89 projecting into the circumferential groove 52defined between the upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and theintermediate ring 47. In effect, the cross-piece 87 is coupled to thesleeves and ring, to be movable longitudinally therewith, the outerfaces 90 of the cross-piece engaging the inner surfaces 51 of the upperand lower sleeves 42, 45 to prevent lateral movement of the cross-piece.

The slots 88 through the body 10 are substantially longer than theheight of the cross-piece 87, so that the body can be movedlongitudinally with respect to the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and theintermediate ring 47, as well as the slip members 13, 15 themselves.

The location of the control rod 80 within the body 10 determines theability of the body to move longitudinally with respect to the slips 13,15. The control rod may act in conjunction with upper and lower valvemembers 91, 92 in determining the setting of the slips against the wellcasing, or the inability of the slips to be set against the well casing.The upper reduced diameter portion 82 of the control rod is encompassedby an upper valve head 91, which is slidable thereon, this valve headbeing urged downwardly to a closed position across the upper end of thetubular body 10 by a helical compression spring 93 encompassing the rod,its upper end bearing against the end portion 83 of the upper valve cage24 and its lower end bearing against the valve head 91. This spring 93urges the upper valve head 91 downwardly to engage its iiange 94 withthe upper end 95 of the body 10 with its lower portion extending intothe body. Leakage of fluid between the head 91 and the upper end 95 ofthe body 10, when the valve head is disposed in the latter, is preventedby a suitable side seal 96, such as a rubber O ring, mounted on the headand adapted to seal against the inner wall ofthe tubular body. Leakageof fluid between the valve head 91 and the reduced diameter portion S2of the control rod is prevented by a suitable rod type of packing 97,such as an O ring, carried by the valve head and slidably sealingagainst the periphery of the rod.

The lower reduced diameter portion 84 of the control rod 80 extendsthrough the lower valve head 92 slidable with respect to the rod. Thisvalve head 92 is urged in an upward direction, to close the lower end 98of the valve body, by a helical compression spring 99 encompassing therod, its lower end bearing against the lower end portion S5 of the valvecage 34 and its upper end bearing against the valve head 92, to urge thelatter in an upward direction and place its upper portion within thelower end 98 of the body, as determined by engagement of a valve headiiange 100 with the lower end of the body. Leakage of fluid between thehead 92 and body 10 is prevented by a suitable side seal 101, such as arubber O ring, mounted on the valve head and sealingly engageable withthe inner wall of the body. Leakage of fluid between the reduceddiameter portion 84 of the rod and the valve head 92 is prevented by asuitable seal ring 102, such as a rubber O ring, mounted in the valvehead 92 and slidably and sealingly engaging the control rod 80.

The springs 93, 99 constantly urge the valve heads 91, 92 toward theirclosed positions. The reduced diameter portions 82, 84 of the controlrod 80 provide upper and lower shoulders 103, 104 that are engageablewith the upper and lower valve members 91, 92, respectively, to shiftsuch valve members to open position when the rod 80 is movedappropriately within the tubular body 10. Such springs are alsoeffective to bear against the valve heads 91, 92, causing the heads toengage the shoulders 103, 104 and dispose the control rod 80 in acentral position lengthwise of the body 10, the `valves thenboftll 7being in closed position within the upper and lower ends 95, 98 of thetubular body.

Not only is the control rod Si) effective to engage the valves 91, 92and shift them to open position, but it is also eiective to shift thevalve heads into engagement with the upper and lower valve cages 24, 34,and thereby determine the ability of the slips 13, 15 and slip carryingsleeves 42, 45 to move relative to the tubular body 10.

When the rod 80 is in its lowermost position, with the lower shoulder104 of the rod engaging the lower head 92 and causing the latter to bearagainst the lower valve cage 34, the upper end 108 of the rod slot isthen adacent the upper end of the cross-piece 87, the upper and lowersets of slips 13, 15 then both being in a retracted or central positionwith respect to the body and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16. It isevident that if the control rod 80 is now moved downwardly, it will bearagainst the lower valve head 92 (which is bearing against the lowervalve cage) to carry the body 16 and the expanders 14, 16 downwardlywith it (Fig. 2). At the same time, the rod at the upper end of its slot86 is engaging the cross-piece 87 to carry the sleeves 42, 45,intermediate ring 47 and upper and lower sets of slips 13, downwardlywith it. Accordingly, the latter parts cannot move longitudinally withrespect to the body 1i) and expanders 14, 16, which will insure that theslips cannot be anchored against the well casing. The helical springs 57retain the friction drag block members 56 engaged with the well casingB, and hold the slip heads 43, 46 inwardly away from the wall of thewell casing. The friction drag blocks 56 merely slide frictionallyagainst the wall of the well casing B during such downward movement ofthe control rod 89, the entire well packer being carried downwardly inthe well casing B with the rod to the desired setting point.

This relative position of the parts is disclosed in Fig. 2, from whichit is apparent that the apparatus can be lowered in the well casing.During such lowering, fluid can by-pass around the well packer byflowing upwardly into the lower end 98 of the tubular body 10, throughthe passage 81, engaging the upper valve head 91 and forcing the latterto open position against the effort of its helical compression spring93, the uid discharging from the upper end 95 of the body. In thismanner, the fluid in the well casing can bypass around the tool and willnot prevent its descent in the well casing.

In the event the apparatus is to be elevated in the well casing, thenthe taking of an upward pull on the control rod 80 will shift its uppershoulder 1&3 into engagement With the upper valve head 91, carrying thelatter upwardly into engagement with the upper valve cage 24 (Fig. l0).When the rod is in this position, the lower end of its longitudinal slot86 is adjacent or immediately below the cross-piece S7, the slipcarrying sleeves 42, 45, intermediate ring 47 and upper and lower setsof slips 13, 15 being disposed in their intermediate position withrespect to the tubular body 10 and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16.Upward motion of the rod will then cause it to carry the body 10upwardly with it, the lower end 1119 of the rod slot 86 engaging thecross-piece S7 to cause the latter to also carry the slip carryingmembers 42, 45, 47 and the sets of slips 13, 15 upwardly with the rod,the slips 13, 15 being prevented from moving longitudinally relative tothe tubular body 10 and the expanders 14, 16. A sufficient elevatingforce is imposed on the control rod 8i) to overcome the friction of thedrag block members 56 against the wall of the well casing, as well asthe friction of the packing cups 20, 26 against the wall of the wellcasing.

During the elevating motion, the upper valve head 91 is held in openposition by the upper rod shoulder N3. The uid can by-pass around theapparatus, owing downwardly into the upper end 95 of the tubular body,and through the passage 81 to engage the lower valve head 92 andshifting it down against the force of the spring 99 to open position.

In lowering the Well packer A in the well casing B to a desired settingpoint, it is merely necessary to exert a downward force on the controlrod Si), the rod being shifted to the position disclosed in Fig. 2,which will place the valves 91, 92 in the position and condition whereinfiuid can by-pass through the tubular body iii and around the packingelements 20, 26, the slip members 13, 15 being held in their neutral orineffective position with respect to the body 1t? and the upper andlower expanders 14, 16. When tne location is reached in the well casingat which the well packer or bridge plug is to be anchored in packed-01Tcondition, it is merely necessary to relieve the downward force on thecontrol rod 8i). Upon such relief, the springs 93, 99 will shift thevalve head 91, 92 to closed positions, the lower valve head 9?; engagingthe rod shoulder 1G4- and shifting the rod Sti upwardly to a centralposition in which both of the valve heads are closed against the valvebody. This upward shifting of the control rod S0 will elevate the upperend 108 of the longitudinal slot substantially above the cross-piece S7.The packino cups 26, 26 and the friction drag block portions 56 of theslips will tend to hold the well packer A in this position within thewell casing B, in the absence of fluid pressure either above or belowthe well packer. The relative position of parts just described isdisclosed in Fig. 7.

If a greater huid pressure is now imposed on the well packer from aregion below its location in the well casing than exists above the wellpacker, this fluid under pressure will urge the packer body 1@ andexpanders 14, 16 in an upward direction. inasmuch as it is acting overthe entire corse-sectional area of the body, it will hold the lowervalve 92 closed against the body. The upward movement of the body 10 andexpanders 14, 16 will shift the lower expander 16 upwardly within thelower slips 15, since upward movement of the slip structure is preventedor resisted by the frictional engagement of the drag blocks 56 againstthe wall of the well casing. The lower set of slips 15 will be rocked ontheir fulcrum portions 61 to bring their wickered head portions 46 intoiirm anchoring engagement with the well casing (Fig. 8). Accordingly,the uid pressure from below the well packer will be incapable ofshifting the latter in an upward direction within the well casing, theHuid under pressure being prevented from passing around the outside ofthe packer body 10 by the lower packing cup 26, and through the interiorof the valve body by virtue of the closing action of the valve head 92against the lower end 98 of the packer body. The fluid under pressure isalso acting over the cross-sectional area of the lower rod portion 84,but it may do nothing more than shift this rod upwardly, as permitted bythe fact that there is a substantial space bctween the lower end 109 ofthe rod slot 26 and the lower end of the cross-piece 87 prior to theupward shifting of the rod.

In the event that the pressure in the well casing above the well packeris now greater than the pressure below the well packer, such pressurewill act on the packing cup 20, body 16 and upper valve head 91 to snitthese parts in a downward direction with respect to the siip structure,since downward movement of the latter is resisted by the friction dragblock portions 56 of the slips. This relative downward motion ispermitted in view of the substantial distance that existed initiallybetween the upper end 108 of the slot and the upper end of thecross-piece 87 (as in Fig. 7). The body 10 and expanders 14, 16 will beshifted in a direction, to wedge the upper expander 14 in the upperslips 13, rocking the latter about their fulcrum points 61 outwardlyinto anchor ing engagement with the wall of the well casing, asdisclosed in Fig. 9. Here again, the fluid under pressure is preventedfrom passing downwardly around the outside of the tubular body by theupper packing cup 26, and it is also prevented from passing down throughthe tubular body 10 by the closing action of the upper valve head 91tubular body 10 cannot occur.

against the upper end 95 of the body. The uid pressure may also act uponthe upper end of the rod 80 to shift it downwardly to some extent, butsuch downward shifting will have no eiect on the operation of thedevice.

It is, therefore, apparent that fluid pressure, either above or belowthe well packer, is effective to automatically anchor it in packed-oilcondition against longitudinal movement in either a downward or anupward direction, as the case may be. In the event is is desired torelease the packer and lower it to another position in the well casing,it is merely necessary to exert a downward force on the control rod S0,which will reshift the parts to the relative position shown in Fig. 2,whereupon lowering action can continue. Conversely, in the event it isdesired to elevate the well packer in the well casing, it is merelynecessary to grasp the control rod S by some suitable means (not shown)to locate the parts in the relative position shown in Fig. 10, in whichthe slips 13, are in their neutral position and in which relativemovement between the slip carrying structure 42, 45, 47 and the With theparts in this relative position, the well packer A can be withdrawncompletely from the well casing B.

In the event the rubber packing cups 20, Z6 do not provide suicientfriction against the well casing B resisting longitudinal movement ofthe tubular body 10 within the well casing, so as to secure theappropriate relative longitudinal movement of the control rod 84) withinthe tubular body, a friction drag device 115 may be secured to the lowervalve cage 34. drag device consists of circumferentially spaced,outwardly bowed drag springs 116 frictionally engaging the wall of thewell casing, the upper ends of the springs being secured to the lowervalve cage 34 by an encompassing retaining ring 117 secured to the cageby suitable screws 118. The lower ends of the springs 116 may be securedto a suitable support 119 by an encompassing ring '120 in any convenientmanner.

One form of device for lowering the apparatus in the well casing isdisclosed in Fig. 1. The control rod 80 extends upwardly above the uppervalve cage to a substantial extent, terminating in an enlarged head 121.As described above, it is only necessary to exert a downward force onthe control rod 80 :to lower the apparatus in the well casing whilepreventing the slips 13, 1S from being set against the well casing. Inthe present instance, such downward force is provided by causing thelower end 122 of a sub 123 of the running-in tool C to bear against theupper end of the control head 121. The upper end of the sub isthreadedly secured with a suitable cable head 124 attached to the wireline running-in string D that extends to the top of the well bore. Thelower end 122 of the sub is prevented from riding oil the upper end ofthe head 121 by a sleeve 125 surrounding the rod 80 and threaded ontothe lower end of the sub 123. The sleeve 125 may extend downwardly alongthe rod 80 to a substantial extent. By virtue of its encompassing thelatter, it will hold the sub 123 in its appropriate relation against theupper end of the head 121. The sub 123 and sleeve 125 may providesufficient weight to force the rod S0 and the well packer A downwardlyin the casing B. However, additional weight can be provided, if need be,by merely connecting rod lengths or sinker bars (not shown) to the upperend of the sub 123 between the latter and the cable head 124. f'

After the well packer A has been pushed down the well casing by therunning-in tool C to the desired setting location, the wire linerunning-in string D need merely be elevated, to lift the sub 123 and thesleeve 12S away from the rod 8G, whereupon the running-in tool C can bewithdrawn to the top of the hole. From this point on, the pressureeither above or below the apparatus A within the well casing B will beeiective to anchor the tool against either downward or upward movement,as the case may be. When it is desired to retrieve the tool A, asuitable This friction retrieving device or overshot (not shown) can belowered in the well casing and disposed over the rod head 121, becomingcoupled to the latter and allowing the rod 3d to be elevated within thebody 10, to place the parts in the position shown in Fig. l0, whereuponthe well packer A can be lifted within the well casing B and withdrawnfrom the latter at the top of the hole.

With the running-in tool shown in Fig. l, it is possible to lower thewell packer A in the well casing without the necessity for causing thelower rod shoulder 104 to engage the lower valve head 92 and shift itagainst the lower valve cage 34. instead of this relation of parts, thelower valve hea-d 92 may be relieved of the necessity for transferringthe downward force of the rod to the packer body 1i), by extending therunning-in tool sleeve downwardly sufficiently so that a lower guideportion 126 thereon engages the upper end 127 of the upper valve cage Zdwhen the sub 123 has engaged the rod head 121 and pushed the rod 3ddownwardly within the body to the running-in position disclosed in Fig.2. During the lowering of the running-in tool C and the well packerapparatus A in the well casing B, it is apparent that the control rod 8dis acting through the anvil 87 to push the slip sleeve structure 42, 45,47 and slips 13, 15 in a downward direction. At the same time, thesleeve 125 is bearing against the upper end 127 of the valve cage 24, topush the body 1d in a downward direction. Accordingly, the body 1t),with the expanders 14, 16 mounted thereon, and the slip structure cannotmove longitudinally with respect to each other, the rod Sil pushing theslip structure downwardly through the agency of the cross-piece 87,whereas the sleeve 125 is pushing simultaneously down against the uppervalve cage 24 and body 10 of the apparatus.

The inventors claim:

l. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; slip members havingconduit gripping portions normally in retracted position and movablelongitu-dinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expandermeans and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upperexpander means and gripping portions coacting with each other, uponrelative downward movement of said upper expander means, to anchor saidbody to the con-duit against downward movement, said lower expandermeans and gripping portions coacting with each other, upon relativeupward movement of said lower expander means, to anchor said body to theconduit against upward movement; said slip members having drag portionsfrictionally engageable with the conduit to enable said body and upperland lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect tosaid slip members to expand said gripping portions into engagement withthe conduit to selectively anchor said body against either downward orupward movement in the conduit.

2. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lowerl expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the con-duit; slip members havingconduit gripping portions normally in retracted position and movablelongitudinally with respect to said body and upper and, lower expandermeans and coacting with said upper anda lower expander means, said upperexpander means and?, gripping portions coacting with each other, uponrelativef downward movement of said upper expander means, to. anchorsaid body to the conduit against downward move-- ment, said lowerexpander means and gripping portions.

coacting with each other, upon relative upwardV movement of saidlower-expander means, to anchor said bodyto the conduit against upwardmovement; said slip members having drag portions frictionally engageablewith thecouduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander-- meansto be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expandsaid gripping portions into engage.. ment with the conduit toselectively anchor said body;

against either downward or upward movement in the conduit; and means forpreventing such relative longitudinal movement between said slip membersand said body and upper and lower expanders to prevent expansion of saidgripping portions .into engagement with the conduit.

3. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit gripping portions normally in retracted position;means mounting said upper and lower siip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lowerexpander means; said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement of said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowerslip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit.

4. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit gripping portions normally in retracted position;means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lowerexpander means; said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement of said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowerslip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; andmeans engageable with said body and mounting means for preventing suchrelative longitudinal movement between said upper and lower slip membersand said upper and lower expanders to prevent expansion of said grippingportions into engagement with the conduit.

5. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; slip members havingconduit gripping portions normally in retracted position and movablelongitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expandermeans and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upperexpander means and gripping portions coacting with each other, uponrelative downward movement of said upper expander means, to anchor saidbody to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander meansand gripping portions coasting with each other, upon relative upwardmovement of said lower expander means, to anchor said body to theconduit against upward movement; said slip members having drag portionsfrictionally engageable with the conduit to enable said body and upperand lower expander'means to be moved longitudinally with respect to t 12said slip members to expand said gripping portions into engagement withthe conduit to selectively anchor said body against either downward orupward movement in the conduit; and spring means engaging said membersto urge said drag portions against the conduit and said grippingportions away from the conduit.

6. in a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongiudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit gripping portions normally in retracted position;means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and iowerexpander means; said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement ol said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowersiip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; andspring means engaging said upper and lower slip members to urge saiddrag portions against the conduit and said gripping portions away fromthe conduit.

7. ln a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slipmeans normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally withrespect to said body and upper and l wer expander means and coactingwith said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means andslip means coacting with each other, upon relative downward movement ofsaid upper expander means, to anchor said body to the conduit againstdownward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coactingwith each other, upon relative upward movement of said lower expandermeans, to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; meanscoacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and iower expander means to bemoved longitudinaily with respect to said slip to expand said slip meansinto engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body againsteither upward or downward movement in the conduit; said body having anelongate slot therein; holding means movable longitudinally of saidbody; and transverse means extending through said body slot andconnected to said slip means to move longitudinally therewith; saidtransverse means having a lost motion connection with said holding meansto enable said holding means to move longitudinaliy of said body andhave simultaneous engagement with said body and transverse means toprevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expandermeans relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lo. 'erexpander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagementwith the conduit.

8. ln a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slipmeans normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally withrespect to vsaid body and upper and lower expander means and coactingwith said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means andslip means coacting with each other, upon relative downward movementduit to selectively'anchor said body against either upward or downwardmovement in the conduit; said body having an elongate slot therein;holding means within and movable longitudinally of said body and havingan elongate slot therein; and transverse means connected to said slipmeans to move longitudinally therewith and extending through said bodyslot into said holding means slot; said holding means slot beingsubstantially longer than said transverse means to enable said holdingmeans to move longitudinally of said body and have simultaneousengagement with said body and transverse means to prevent longitudinalmovement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative tosaid slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means fromexpanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

9. In a well tool; a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slipmeans normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally withrespect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coactingwith said upper and lower expander means, said upper expandervmeans andslip means coacting with each other, upon relative downward movement ofsaid upper expander means, to anchor said body to the conduit againstdownward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coactingwith each other, upon relative upward movement of said lower expandermeans, to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; meanscoacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slipmeans into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said bodyagainst either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said bodyhaving an elongate slot therein; holding means within and movablelongitudinally of said body and having an elongate slot therein; across-piece connected to said slip means to move longitudinallytherewith and extending through said body slot into said holding meansslot; said holding means slot being substantially longer than saidcrosspiece to enable said holding means to move longitudinally in bothdirections with respect to said body and have simultaneous engagementwith said body and with said cross-piece at either end of said holdingmeans slot to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper andlower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upperand lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoringengagement with the conduit.

l0. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit gripping portions normally in retracted position;means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lowerexpander means, said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means,`upon relative downward movementof said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowerslip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageablev withthe conduit to enable said body and upper and lower' expander means tobe moved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit;said body having an elongate slot therein; holding means having limitedlongitudinal movement with respect to said body; and transverse meansextending through said body slot and connected to said mounting meanswhereby said transverse means moves longitudinally with said upper andlower slip members; said transverse means having a lost motionconnection with said holding means to enable said holding means to movelongitudinally of said body and simultaneously engage said body andtransverse means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upperand lower expander means relative to said upper and lower slip membersto prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said upperand lower slip members into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

ll. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit'gripping portions normally in retracted position;means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lowerexpander means, said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement of said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowerslip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageable withlthe conduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit;said body having an elongate slot therein; holding means within andhaving limited longitudinal movement with respect to said body andhaving an elongate slot therein; and transverse means connected to saidmounting means whereby said transverse means moves longitudinally withsaid upper and lower slip members, said transverse means extendingthrough said body slot and said holding means slot; said holding meansslot being substantially longer than said transverse means to enablesaid holding means to move longitudinally of said body andsimultaneously engage said body and transverse means to preventlongitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander meansrelative to said upper and lower slip members to prevent said upper andlower expander means from expanding said upper and lower slip membersinto anchoring engagement with the conduit.

l2. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed'on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit gripping portions normally in retracted position;means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lowerexpander means, said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement of said Y t upperexpander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slipmembers to the conduit against downward movement, said lower slipmembers coacting with said lower expander means, upon relative upwardmovement of said lower expander means, to anchor said gripping portionsof said lower slip members to the conduit against upward movement; saidupper and lower slip members having drag portions frictionallyengageable with the conduit to enable said body and upper and lowerexpander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slipmembers to expand said gripping portions into engagement with theconduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward ordownward movement in the conduit; said body having an elongate slottherein; holding means within and having limited longitudinal movementwith respect to said body and having an elongate slot therein; across-piece connected to said mounting means to move longitudinally withsaid upper and lower slip members and extending through said body s lotinto said holding means slot;- said holding means slot beingsubstantially longer than said cross-piece to enable said holding meansto move longitudinally in both directions with respect to said body andsimultaneously engage said body and said cross-piece at either end ofsaid holding means slot to prevent longitudinal movement of said bodyand upper and lower expander means relative to said upper and lower slipmembers to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expandingsaid upper and lower slip members into anchoring engagement with theconduit.

13. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved 1ongitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slipmeans normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally withrespect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coactingwith said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means andslip means coacting with each other, upon relative downward movement ofsaid upper expander means, to anchor said body to the conduit againstdownward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coactingwith each other, upper relative upward movement of said lower expandermeans, to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; meanscoacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slipmeans into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said bodyagainst either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said bodyhaving an elongate slot therein; holding means having limitedlongitudinal movement with respect to said body; transverse meansextending through said body slot and connected to said slip means tomove longitudinally therewith; said transverse means having a lostmotion connection with said holding means; and means movable withrespect to said body and engageable with said holding means to shiftsaid holding means longitudinally of said body into engagement with saidtransverse means simultaneously with engagement of said movable meanswith said body to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upperand lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent saidupper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means intoanchoring engagement with the conduit.

14. ln a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slipmeans normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally withrespect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coactingwith said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means andslip means coacting with i H each other, upon relative downward movementof sa1d upper expander means, to anchor said body to the conduit againstdownward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coactingwith each other, upon relative upward movement of said lower expandermeans, to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; meanscoacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slipmeans into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said bodyagainst either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said bodyhaving an elongate slot therein; holding means within and having limitedlongitudinal movement with respect to said body and having an elongateslot therein; a cross-piece connected to said slip means to movelongitudinally therewith and extending through said body slot into saidholding means slot; said holding means slot being substantially longerthan said cross-piece to enable said holding means to movelongitudinally in both directions with respect to said body; and meansmovable with respect to said body and engageable with said holding meansto shift said holding means longitudinally of said body to engage saidholding means with said cross-piece at either end of said holding meansslot simultaneously with engagement of said movable means with said bodyto prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lowerexpander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper andlower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoringengagement with the conduit.

l5. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a Wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers having conduit gripping portions normally in retracted position,means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said body formovement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lowerexpander means, said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement of said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowerslip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit;said body having an elongate slot therein; holding means having limitedlongitudinal movement with respect to said body; transverse meansextending through said body slot and connected to said mounting means tomove lonigtudinally therewith; said transverse means having a lostmotion connection with said holding means; and means movable withrespect to said body and engageable with said holding means to shiftsaid holding means longitudinally of said body into engagement with saidtransverse means simultaneously with engagement of said movable meanswith said body to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upperand lower expander means relative to said mounting means and upper andlower slip members to prevent said upper and lower expander means fromexpanding said upper and lower slip members into anchoring engagementwith the conduit.

16. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a wellconduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movablelongitudinally with said body in the conduit; upper and lower slipmembers havmg conduit gripping portions normally in retracted posi- 17tion; means mounting said upper and lower slip members around said bodyfor movement longitudinally with respect to said body and upper andlower expander means, said upper slip members coacting with said upperexpander means, upon relative downward movement of said upper expandermeans, to anchor said gripping portions of said upper slip members tothe conduit against downward movement, said lower slip members coactingwith said lower expander means, upon relative upward movement of saidlower expander means, to anchor said gripping portions of said lowerslip members to the conduit against upward movement; said upper andlower slip members having drag portions frictionally engageable with theconduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to bemoved longitudinally with respect to said slip members to expand saidgripping portions into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchorsaid body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit;said body having an elongate slot therein; holding means having limitedlongitudinal movement with respect to said body; transverse meansextending through said body slot and connected to said mounting means tomove longitudinally therewith; said transverse means hav ing a lostmotion connection with said holding means; means movable with respect tosaid body and engageable with said holding means to shift said holdingmeans longitudinally of said body into engagement with said transversemeans simultaneously with engagement of said movable means with saidbody to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lowerexpander means relative to said mounting means and upper and lower slipmembers to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expandingsaid upper and lower slip members into anchoring engagement with theconduit; an upper packing member mounted on said body and adapted toseal against the conduit to prevent downward flow of fluid therethrough;and a lower packing member mounted on said body and adapted to sealagainst the conduit to prevent upward ilow of fluid therethrough.

Baker et al Dec. 17, 1940 Ragan Dec. 18, 1951

1. IN A WELL TOOL: A BODY ADAPTED TO BE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY IN A WELLCONDUIT; UPPER AND LOWER EXPANDER MEANS DISPOSED ON AND MOVABLELONGITUDINALLY WITH SAID BODY IN THE CONDUIT; SLIP MEMBERS HAVINGCONDUIT GRIPPING PORTIONS NORMALLY IN RETRACTED POSITION AND MOVABLELONGITUDINALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID BODY AND UPPER AND LOWER EXPANDERMEANS AND COACTING WITH SAID UPPER AND LOWER EXPANDER MEANS, SAID UPPEREXPANDER MEANS AND GRIPPING PORTIONS COACTING WITH EACH OTHER, UPONRELATIVE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID UPPER EXPANDER MEANS, TO ANCHOR SAIDBODY TO THE CONDUIT AGAINST DOWNWARD MOVEMENT, SAID LOWER EXPANDER MEANSAND GRIPPING PORTIONS COACTING WITH EACH OTHER, UPON RELATIVE UPWARDMOVEMENT OF SAID LOWER EXPANDER MEANS, TO ANCHOR SAID BODY TO THECONDUIT AGAINST UPWARD MOVEMENT; SAID SLIP MEMBERS HAVING DRAG PORTIONSFRICTIONALLY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CONDUIT TO ENABLE SAID BODY AND UPPERAND LOWER EXPANDER MEANS TO BE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAIDSLIP MEMBERS TO EXPAND SAID GRIPPING PORTIONS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THECONDUIT TO SELECTIVELY ANCHOR SAID BODY AGAINST EITHER DOWNWARD ORUPWARD MOVEMENT IN THE CONDUIT.